The Grenada gazette., 1887-10-01


Thought Of S:rong's words often
during the next year. From time to
time we heard of his success. Every
thing that he touched seemed to turn
to gold. Even in New York men spoke
OF him as the young Napoleon.
III.
1t was an awful crash, and it car
ried some Of the proudest firms in the
great city down with it.
In our little village we could hardly
realize it. Surely Strong had been
prudent enough to save something out
Of the wreck.
Our hope proved to be without
foundation. Not only had Strong en-.
tire fortune been swept away. but he
would have to begin the world again,
owing fully million dollars.
The brave fellow bore up for few
days. His conduct was so manly that
there was some talk Of setting him
on his feet again, and it was predicted
that he would retrieve his losses and
make another fortune.
But the strain was too much. Final
ly he staggered to his bed. and when
he arose from it. long weeks after
wards, his attack of brain fever had
done its worst.
He is mental wreck" said Banker
Jones, who had just returned from
New York.
''ls there no hope?"
'None whatever. He will never re.
gain his senses. He may improve
physically, but his mind is gone for
ever"
1--WE must do something for him." !
said.
Something has been DONE" re-
piled Jones with very moist eyes
"Varina-"
"What has she donep'
"That noble woman, sir, went on to
New York with her uncle. They took
poor Strong and placed him in a
private asylum, where he will receive
every care and attention. You know
that Varina has given up her school
and is living with her uncle, who is
going to max her his heiress. Well,
those two are going to foot the bills
and sec to it that Strong is taken care
Of as long as he lives"
1t was years afterward when l saw
Strong for the first time since his mis-
fortune.
Business had called me to New York,
and on the second day after my arrival
l visited the asylum. a short distance
from the city.
AT first thought that Strong had
completely recovered, he was looking
so we'll, but his talk undeceived me.
"And how is Cottonvillc?" lie asked.
"Slow old place, too slow, no progress,
nothing to keep man ofability there.
Why don't you come herc' I have
some big schemes on foot, and pos.
sibly I'll let you in.''
Twas glad to see that he recognized
me, and I humored his rambling talk
for an hour.
II saw Varina before Ileft" l said.
'Varina! Oh, little Varina Vincent.
Do you know once thought of marry.
ing her, but I saw that it wouldn't
do. Good girl, but no force Of char
acter, you know. Why, they call me
the young Napoleon Of finance. Now,
how would such wife have suited
me? Well, l managed it so as not to
hurt her feelings. l let the engage.
ment run long, and at last she Of
fered to release me. accused her Of
not having faith in me, and got in
high dudgeon. and accepted my free
dom. Good, wasn't itp"
1t was too much for me. Irose to
60.
Strong accompanied me to tho door.
and chatted about his imaginary
speculations.
'Stay!' he cried as l was leaving.
He handed me q little flower from
tho profusion that decked his table.
"Giye that TO Varina," he said.
l took it and rushed off unable to
speak.
OF course I pressed that flower, and
took the utmost care OF 1t until ]
reached CottOnville.
When gave it to varina, and told
her who sent it. the poor thing cried
over it until thought her heart would
break. Women are so peculiar. -
Wallace Z. Reed. IN atlanta Consti!n
ton.
An Extraordinarv Casa.